streets.mn Forum

Nordic House - 729 Washington Av N

Re: 729 Washington Av N

Posted: January 6th, 2016, 4:10 pm

by phop

"The project is grossly out of scale with the rest of the community: more than 700 neighborhood residents have signed a petition opposing the development as it is currently proposed," said John Braun, a lawyer from Thomas Law Group, in the press release. "Given that enormity of public outcry, Greco would have to be totally tone-deaf not to re-work their design to make it a better fit here. Anything less is going to invite criticism, community discontent and very likely litigation."

On what planet would there be grounds for litigation?

Re: 729 Washington Av N

Posted: January 6th, 2016, 4:11 pm

by grant1simons2

I want to see the petition. What did it say? Did people know what they were signing? Where are these people living?

Re: 729 Washington Av N

Posted: January 6th, 2016, 4:16 pm

by swallman

Re: 729 Washington Av N

Posted: January 6th, 2016, 4:18 pm

by acs

Typical NIMBY crap, it's too tall and needs more parking.

Re: 729 Washington Av N

Posted: January 6th, 2016, 4:21 pm

by swallman

I used to live right across from Bunkers and when this was proposed I had some concerns about the scale of it (and it's gotten even larger since then)...I think the first 4 floors are solely because of the extra parking needed because they're losing a ton of parking due to the construction.

And I do live in the North Loop...how many others here do?

Re: 729 Washington Av N

Posted: January 6th, 2016, 4:30 pm

by twincitizen

Oh I see how they got 700 signatures on a petition... They put it in a bar.
Pretty easy to drum up support for your cause by claiming that your business is being endangered.

I still don't believe that this opposition is the reason for tabling the development. The stormwater tunnel issue seems like a pretty big one that perhaps just couldn't be resolved. They may have to restructure the project entirely.

Re: 729 Washington Av N

Posted: January 6th, 2016, 5:00 pm

by TroyGBiv

I know a ton a people who live within 2 to 3 blocks in that neighborhood and they all want more density so that there will be more options for them in tweets of services and resources. The NIMBY issue is a problem everywhere... I live in Whittier (since 1986) and we have this battle all the time... too much density and yet not enough resources and retail diversity... empty, poorly lit streets and rising street crime - - and then rejection of any proposed residential structure that would bring in people 24 7... it is a double edged sword... live by it and die by it... my disappointment with the North Loop subgroup is that this is a dense urban neighborhood and it will only benefit from a project like this that adds to the neighborhood and also provides great space and more parking... I stopped frequenting the neighborhood because so often I can't find parking anywhere near my destination... I feel like neighborhoods don't really understand that there are very real compromises that need to be made...

Re: 729 Washington Av N

Posted: January 6th, 2016, 7:28 pm

by Wedgeguy

I'd say that 700 signatures are from the Bunkers and have nothing to do with the condo People. It should not matter because Bunker customers are not to park in that lot anyway. Greco can get back at Bunkers by having boot caps put on every car that illegally parks in that lot. That would basically shut down Bunkers because no one would want to pay a $100+to be able to get their car out of being immobilized. Just a few cars a night would be profitable for them and the word of mouth would hit Bunkers in the pocketbook.

Re: 729 Washington Av N

Posted: January 6th, 2016, 7:54 pm

by acs

While I support the proposal and want it to be built to the maximum possible density, this isn't about getting back at Bunkers or anyone else who raises objections no matter how tiresome they are. This was supposed to have a valet drop-off cutout correct? maybe Bunkers patrons could use that as well as the other restaurant. Or heck, just offer the new retail space on the ground floor to bunkers.

Re: 729 Washington Av N

Posted: January 7th, 2016, 1:45 pm

by 5th Ave Guy

I live in the NL and I can guarantee you very few who do care about "protecting Bunkers (parking spaces)". Most want infill and the services that come with it.

Re: North Loop Neighborhood

Posted: May 6th, 2016, 7:11 am

by twincitizen

United and Greco are going to pursue separate projects on the 729 Washington superblock parking lot, where plans for a jointly developed 10-story apartment building fell apart. United is looking at a 10-story office proposal on the eastern half and Greco would build an apartment building on the western half.

Re: North Loop Neighborhood

Awww, I didn't realize that apartment building was completely dead. That's a bummer.

Re: North Loop Neighborhood

Posted: May 6th, 2016, 8:14 am

by kirby96

This one might be a little firmer. My buddy was told awhile ago he'd lose his parking spot there, but now he's been told it's gone in June.

Re: North Loop Neighborhood

Posted: May 6th, 2016, 8:17 am

by Nathan

I like this diversity of uses better, gives the street a less massive feel I hope!

I wonder if this has to do with the tunnel?

Re: North Loop Neighborhood

Posted: May 6th, 2016, 9:31 am

by acs

twincitizen wrote:United and Greco are going to pursue separate projects on the 729 Washington superblock parking lot, where plans for a jointly developed 10-story apartment building fell apart. United is looking at a 10-story office proposal on the eastern half and Greco would build an apartment building on the western half.